Top 5 Lower Ab Exercises For Men

by
TIM PETRIE Sept. 11, 2017

Tim Petrie

Tim Petrie is a Physical Therapist and an Orthopedic Certified Specialist working in Milwaukee, Wisc. When he isn't working, he loves distance running, Packers football, and traveling with his wife and his energetic three year old daughter.

The hunt for six-pack abs can be a frustrating one. Men often try to achieve V-cut definition in their stomach by working on their lower abdominal muscle. This muscle, consisting of the lower portion of the rectus abdominis, can be tricky to isolate.

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Fortunately, a 2001 study published in the "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research," as well as a 2010 study published in the "Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy," both identified some of the top exercises for men focused on strengthening their lower abs.

You'll need a ton of core stability to stay on the ball.Photo Credit: Travis McCoy/LIVESTRONG.COM

1. Pike

HOW TO DO IT: Begin in a push-up position with your lower legs supported on a Swiss ball. Your spine should remain flat and your abdominal muscles should be engaged. Flex your hips and raise your buttocks in the air while keeping your knees completely straight.

As the ball rolls forward, the trunk flexes and the lower rectus abdominis is activated. Continue this movement until only your feet remain on the ball. Hold your buttocks in the air for 1 to 2 seconds and then slowly return to the starting position.

It's not a common exercise, but it works!Photo Credit: Travis McCoy/LIVESTRONG.COM

2. Ab Rollout

HOW TO DO IT: Kneel with an erect trunk and with your arms resting on a Swiss ball placed 8 to 12 inches in front of you. Roll the Swiss ball forward and assume a plank position with your forearms resting on the ball for support.

Maintain a neutral spine and keep your buttocks in line with your body. Do not hold your breath or rest your chest on the ball. Maintaining this position on an unsteady ball challenges the lower abdominal muscles. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds and then slowly return to the starting position.

Part of the challenge is not rolling to the side.Photo Credit: Travis McCoy/LIVESTRONG.COM

3. Hip Extension Flutters

HOW TO DO THEM: This exercise uses the same starting position as the pike, assuming a push-up position with the lower legs resting on a Swiss ball. With the abs engaged and the spine remaining flat, slowly raise one leg up towards the ceiling while making sure the ball does not move.

Do not bend the knee when raising your leg. The instability created by the ball encourages the abs to activate and to maintain the steady position. Hold this leg in the air for 1 to 2 seconds and then slowly lower it back to the ball. Repeat by lifting the alternate leg.

Try to only use the strength from your core.Photo Credit: Travis McCoy/LIVESTRONG.COM

Once your knees and arms meet, hold this position for 1 to 2 seconds before slowly lowering the arms and the legs back to the starting position. By flexing your trunk and then slowly releasing it, the lower abdominals are effectively targeted.

Flip the standard crunch on its head.Photo Credit: Travis McCoy/LIVESTRONG.COM

5. Reverse Curl

Lie on your back with your arms at your side and your head lifted slightly off the floor. Lift your legs in the air so that your knees and hips are each bent to 90 degrees, as though you were sitting on an overturned chair.

Slowly bring your knees toward your chin until your lower back lifts slightly off the mat. As this motion occurs, the trunk bends slightly forward and the lower portion of the rectus abdominis is isolated. Hold this position for 1 to 2 seconds and then lower your legs back to the starting position.

Exercise Parameters and Precautions

To build strength in the lower abs, perform 2 to 3 sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise at least two to three times a week, according to the ACSM. Any strengthening regimen should be balanced with exercises targeting the other abdominal muscles. In addition, none of the exercises should be painful to perform.